A live broadcast captured the horrifying final moments of a news helicopter before it plunged from the sky and burst into flames near Chatsworth warehouses.
The disaster killed pilot George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno, and a pedestrian on the ground.
The crash occurred at 7 p.m. in Los Angeles while the news crew covered a bus collision.
An automated warning horn blared in the cockpit to alert the crew that the engine was stalling.
Reacting to the blaring alarm, Moreno voiced her shock by saying, “Uh, oh”.
The warning signal sounded seconds before the livestream cut off.
Urging the pilot to regain control, Moreno frantically shouted, “Pull”.
Questioning whether the control system was responding, Moreno asked, “You can’t pull up?”.
The video feed showed violent shaking throughout the cabin before impact.
Marciniw had logged more than 14,000 hours of flight time.
Eyewitnesses reported that the sudden descent raised immediate alarm among residents.
Recalling the moment he spotted the aircraft, local resident Zareh Sevanesian described his observation by saying, “I saw the helicopter – something didn’t look right”.
Detailing his reaction, Sevanesian added, “And I told my wife, ‘That helicopter is not flying right’”.
The impact triggered an explosion that scattered dangerous debris.
Bystanders darted for cover to avoid shrapnel as flames engulfed the wreckage.
The fire spread rapidly, causing four surrounding vehicles to ignite.
Expressing his horror at the inferno, Sevanesian emphasized the severity by stating, “It was one of the most violent fires I have ever seen”.
Describing the scene, Sevanesian noted that three people nearby were “screaming uncontrollably”.
Aviation experts suggested that the signs pointed toward engine failure.
Federal authorities are investigating the official cause of the crash.